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Pawnee shooting range draws good reviews

Christy Carlson eyes a target at the Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area. The no-cost range on the Pawnee National Grassland in Weld County encourages responsible shooting among recreational enthusiasts. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)

PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLAND — An alliance of government and the National Rifle Association has produced a facility where gun owners on the Front Range can fire at will in safety and peace.

Since it opened in January, the Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area on the Pawnee National Grassland in far northeast Weld County has attracted more than 200 shooters on peak days and draws those with a variety of skills and weapons.

The shooting range was developed to cut down on impromptu target practice on telephone poles, road signs and fences on the national grassland.

Some so-called "dispersal" shooting started dozens of fires on the grassland in 2012 when illegal tracer bullets were used.

There is still plenty of legal dispersal firing going on at the grassland, said Reghan Cloudman, spokeswoman for the Pawnee National Grassland, but at least officials have a place to send those who want to shoot in a controlled environment.

"We are still seeing that some people don't want to be confined to specific rules and regulations in shooting areas," Cloudman said. "But the best part for us is that when people call us and ask if we know of a safe place to shoot, we know exactly where to send them."

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The range has berms providing targets from 25, 50 and 100 yards away, and the rules are simple: no alcohol; rifles and hand guns only; and shooting only at authorized targets.

It also has a parking area, an information kiosk that advises on safe shooting practices and 30 shooting lanes and 26 benches.

At first, there were no bathrooms. But the popularity of the site prompted officials to bring in portable toilets for comfort.

"There are not a lot of amenities on the grassland, and we certainly don't have any trees," Cloudman said. "But we decided it definitely needed a Porta-Potty."

The grassland is about 35 miles east of Fort Collins and 25 miles northeast of Greeley and is a popular spot for birding and wildlife watching.

Besides a $25,000 grant to help with the construction, NRA representatives also advised officials on the particulars of the site. So did local landowners, public officials and people who have used the grassland for years, said Cloudman.

The need for a safe, secure spot for target shooting provided the impetus to bring all different groups and viewpoints together, she said.

"Everybody wanted to spread the word about responsible shooting," she said. "Whether it's a recreational shooter, rancher or a member of the NRA, they wanted a place where people can shoot in a careful way."

"It's just been nice to come together on this," she added.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife added $97,000 for construction. The U.S. Army Reserve actually built the shooting area — located near the intersection of Weld County roads 96 and 63, northwest of Briggsdale — while Weld County applied gravel for the entry road to the site, using funds provided by local oil and gas companies.

The site impressed retired mechanic Larry Richardson, who came to try out his new rifle — a .357 Magnum Henry Golden Boy.